Family education

Master of Education/initial licensure
(Minnesota state licensure in family and consumer sciences education)

There is a great job market for family educators, and our faculty often receive calls from schools looking for teachers in this field. The family and consumer sciences initial licensure program at the University of Minnesota is designed to prepare students to teach family and consumer sciences in grades 5-12.

Program

Master of education (M.Ed.)/initial licensure programs are for individuals with bachelor's degrees who want to become licensed teachers. These graduate-level programs provide rigorous, professional teacher preparation in accordance with Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers (SEPT) and content standards adopted in fall 1998 by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

After completing prerequisites, students enter a 12-to 15-month program integrating educational theory with classroom practice. This program is offered through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Working closely with experienced teachers, students are assigned to a school for an entire academic year, where they can observe firsthand the daily rewards and pressures of their profession. Students actively participate in schools with part-time student teaching experiences in fall semester, culminating in full-time student teaching in spring semester.

The program focuses on the vital role of family education in the development of youth and their families. This program prepares future educators to concentrate on the imminent needs of family life, to address social conditions affecting families, and to emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills.

An important advantage of this program is its cohort nature. Students begin classes together and continue through their course of study as a single group, building a valuable sense of community. Although the licensure program begins each year in June, students should begin to complete prerequisite coursework at any time before admission.

This program includes two components: initial licensure and M.Ed. degree. After successfully completing licensure requirements, students are recommended for state licensure to teach family and consumer sciences in grades 5-12.

Curriculum

Students complete foundations, methods, and clinical experience coursework for licensure.

Note: Effective fall 2009, students must complete the following course during a summer term: EDHD 5004—Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings (2 cr)

Summer term I

EDHD 5003—Developmental and Individual Differences in Educational Contexts (2 cr)
EDHD 5005—School and Society (2 cr)
PUBH 6003—Fundamentals of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1 cr)

Summer term II

EDHD 5001—Learning, Cognition, and Assessment (3 cr)
EDHD 5009—Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society (1 cr)
CI 5902—Family Education Perspectives (3 cr)
CI 5924—Family and Consumer Sciences Student Teaching I (1 cr)

Fall semester

CI 5644—Working with Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students in the Mainstream Classroom (1 cr)
CI 5922—Family and Consumer Sciences Curriculum in Grades 5-12 (3 cr)
CI 5925—Family and Consumer Sciences Student Teaching II (2 cr)
EDHD 5007—Technology for Teaching and Learning (1.5 cr)

Spring semester

CI 5452—Reading in the Content Areas for Initial Licensure Candidates (1 cr)
CI 5923—Educational Strategies in Family Education (3 cr)
CI 5926—Family and Consumer Sciences Student Teaching III (8 cr)
CI 5927—Family and Consumer Sciences Student Teaching IV (1 cr)

Completion of M.Ed. degree

The M.Ed. degree will be awarded upon successful completion of all licensure requirements and a minimum of 30 graduate credits.

See course descriptions and course schedules.

Admission criteria

Before submitting an application, all applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the program coordinator to complete a transcript review and keep abreast of possible changes to admission requirements and state of Minnesota teaching licensure requirements.

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:
Content area prerequisites—Applicants must have a fully developed knowledge base of the subject area, as demonstrated by completion of appropriate content area courses (see content area). Students completing degrees outside of the United States must arrange for a transcript evaluation (see #3 under the “Application materials” heading below).
Classroom experience with grades 5-12, including verified site visit to a family and consumer sciences classroom.
Cultural and other diversity experience
Personal statement
Grade point average (GPA)—2.80 overall GPA at the time of application. The bachelor’s degree must be completed by the time of matriculation.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution emphasizing child development, human relations, social work, human ecology, family studies, or related areas
A personal interview with the program coordinator

How to apply

Application Materials

All applicants must submit the following items:

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope. Any student with a U.S. bachelor's degree or a comparable foreign degree from an accredited college or university may apply to CEHD. Official transcripts of all previous post-secondary academic study must be submitted. If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take four-six weeks, so please plan in advance. A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).

All applicants must submit the following items with their online applications:

Résumé highlighting classroom experience, diversity experience, and other experiences relevant to your teaching field. The résumé must include the following details for each experience:
- Dates and total hours (e.g., October 2007-December 2007; two days/week to total 100 hours)
- Name and location of site
- Supervisor’s name and phone number
- Description of activities
- Description of the cultural background of the population with which you worked
Personal Statement that discusses how the experiences listed on your résumé have influenced your decision to become a teacher. Limited to two double-spaced pages, typed or word-processed, size-12 font.
Two letters of recommendation (submitted through the online application system) addressing your education-related experience, work style, and personal attributes. Include at least one letter from a K-12 site supervisor listed on your résumé.
Application fee charged when your online application is submitted. Fees must be paid with a credit card.

Nonnative English speakers and/or international students 

All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Exceptions may be granted for applicants who will have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.)

Minimum TOEFL score requirements are listed below:

Internet-based test	79-80
Computer-based test	213
Paper-based test	550

Applicants may also be required to demonstrate spoken English proficiency in an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and/or oral interview with faculty or staff. Contact Student Services for more information.

International applicants who will require an I-20 for a student visa must submit a Financial Certification Statement, which will be mailed to you upon admission to the program.

Apply Online

Apply online
Be sure to save your PIN number and password, so that you can work on the application over time.
Take your time and follow instructions carefully, because once your application is submitted, you will no longer have access to add/change information or upload required supplemental material.
As your application is reviewed, you will receive e-mail notifications of your status.
Your application status and decision will also be posted in your application account.

Timeline

February—Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for financial aid

March 1—All application materials due

February/March—Committee review of applications

Late March—Notification of admission decisions

May 1—Deadline for University of Minnesota application for summer financial aid (eligible if FAFSA has been submitted)

Mid-May—Orientation and summer registration

Early June—Summer term begins. To be eligible to start the program in June, the student’s official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services by June 1.

Before you begin the program

The Minnesota Board of Teaching requires licensure applicants to pass several standardized Praxis Series tests administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). These tests are offered several times a year; students are responsible for registering for and taking Praxis Series tests by the required deadlines. Test information is available from The Praxis Series Information and Registration Bulletin, available at Student Services (612-625-6501) or the ETS Web site.

Students must pass the following tests to be recommended by CEHD for teaching licensure:

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST). Students must take this test before starting the licensure program. Official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services before starting the program.

The following tests must be taken before licensure program completion:

Praxis II: Subject Assessments—Agriculture

Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests

See more details at Praxis testing.

Criminal background check

Before starting student teaching or practicums, students are subject to a criminal background check required by the college. The investigation is conducted by a private agency contracted by the college and is designed to meet school district guidelines governing adults with responsibility for children. Decisions about candidate placement will be made by the district approving the assignment. For background check details and fees, contact Bob Utke at CEHD, 612-625-1084, e-mail: stuteach@umn.edu.